Howell, NJ Business Licensing & Operations: Massage Establishments (2026)

Chapter 197, Massage Establishments, was amended in its entirety 10-21-2014 by Ord. No. O-14-30. Section 197-3 requires a license from the Clerk of the Township of Howell, and the license is independent from any certificate of occupancy or use approval for the premises.

The application package is long. It needs a complete application with the fee set in § 139-57; names, addresses, dates of birth and social security numbers for every owner and every massage therapist; a copy of each therapist's valid certification or license from the New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy; color photo identification for each owner and therapist; a written waiver and consent for a fingerprint and criminal background check by Morpho Trak for each owner, with that fee paid directly to Morpho Trak; satisfactory proof of business liability insurance; and proof that all applicable building, zoning, health and fire code requirements are met. Section 139-57 sets the annual license fee at $250, due December 31 of each year.

Section 197-3C ends each license at the end of the calendar year, with renewal filed with the Clerk no later than December 31, and § 197-12B subjects each licensee to criminal background investigations every three years. Section 197-3D caps licenses at one for every 15,000 residents by the most recent census, with first licenses going to existing establishments in order of certificate of occupancy date.

Under § 197-4 the Clerk refers the application to the Chief of Police for the background check, then to the Township departments that verify building, zoning, health and fire compliance, and then issues the license. Operating rules in § 197-6 require posted price rates in the reception area, nontransparent outer garments for employees, covered sexual and genital areas for patrons, and no touching of those areas. Advertising under § 197-7 must carry the establishment's name, address and telephone number. Section 197-10 lets the Police Department, Board of Health, Fire Chief, Construction Officer, Director of Land Use and Code Enforcement Officer inspect on no less than an annual basis, including spot inspections without an administrative search warrant. Licensed physicians, chiropractors, nurses and physical therapists, and schools certified by the New Jersey Department of Education, are exempt under § 197-13.